The Ford Barn

Big g · 05-26-2023, 07:34 PM

The instrument light on the dash of my 29 Tudor has never functioned since I purchased the car. Never bothered me before but now I would really like it to work. My silly issues is, I do not know how to turn it on. Anyone??

Bill G · 05-26-2023, 07:36 PM

Push and turn clockwise about 1/8 of a turn. Just pushing will turn it on. It will turn off when released unless turned clockwise. Turn counter-clockwise to turn it back off. It takes a #63 6-volt bulb if you are still running 6 volts.

Big g · 05-26-2023, 07:44 PM

Thank you so much.I just installed a new wiring harness and have new ambition to make everything work. Thanks

Ted Duke · 05-28-2023, 01:49 PM

If you put an LED bulb in it you will have more light, less current draw and it WON'T burn your fingers.

nkaminar · 05-28-2023, 02:12 PM

If you have a modern ignition switch you can wire the light to turn on only with the ignition on. So if forget to turn the light off it will not drain your battery.

stickshift · 05-29-2023, 12:28 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

If you have a modern ignition switch you can wire the light to turn on only with the ignition on. So if forget to turn the light off it will not drain your battery.

That's exactly what I did. When I first got my truck, the dash light was burned out. I replaced the bulb and it was on all the time. There was no on/off switch lever like I've seen online. I found a spare spade connector on the rotary switch for the lights that went to the tail lights. I ran the wire into the cab through the box on the fire wall and spliced it to the pigtail for the dash light. Now the dash light is on whenever the lights are on in any position.

Gene F · 05-29-2023, 03:00 PM

I had a aviation grade light bulb in there. It was the replacement for the #63. It had a heavy duty filament, but it finally burned out. I got it at NAPA. Wish I still had that part number, because the light I have now is not as much candlepower.

katy · 05-30-2023, 09:44 AM

Does the bulb not have a number on it? Possibly a #81, 6 CP compared to a #63, 3 CP.

veteran#94 · 11-01-2024, 01:35 PM

i have the stock dash light but can not find a bulb. the socket takes a single contact w/offset pins bulb.

Chuck Dempsey · 11-01-2024, 02:40 PM

Vet #94 - is this not it? https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=976629&cat=0

veteran#94 · 11-01-2024, 05:36 PM

i can't see if that has offset pins.

veteran#94 · 11-01-2024, 05:41 PM

i sent a message to snyders to verify if it has offset pins.

Chuck Dempsey · 11-01-2024, 05:48 PM

Good idea. The description should tell you. Some do, some don't....

katy · 11-01-2024, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veteran#94

i have the stock dash light but can not find a bulb. the socket takes a single contact w/offset pins bulb.

You can use a bulb with equidistant (non-offset) pins, just file one pin off.
Bindar, dundat.

German guy · 11-02-2024, 03:12 AM

It is a pain in the posterior. To turn it on, simply push it in as you would a cigarette lighter in a modern car. Pull it out slightly and it should go off. The problem is that the fixture gets worn and comes on every time you hit a bump in the road...or temperature causes metal expansion to have it come on while parked...killing the battery. Mine does NOT have offset pins...they are two pins at equal distance from the bottom.

nkaminar · 11-02-2024, 05:12 AM

German Guy, The LED does not get hot like the incandescent bulb and will not drain your battery (as fast) if you forget and leave it on. Sorry, I don't have a part number but do a search for the equivalent LED. See post #5.

TomInCologne · 11-02-2024, 06:12 AM

I leave it in the 'on'-position all the time, it being lit is my reminder that i have not turned off the main switch when parked... As i have an LED (yellow), leaving it on does not heat things up too much.

Badpuppy · 11-02-2024, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veteran#94

i have the stock dash light but can not find a bulb. the socket takes a single contact w/offset pins bulb.

The indexed bayonet base is used only for double contact bulbs. Maybe somebody replaced the socket and swapped the contact disc too.

I would use the stock bulb and file off one pin, as others have suggested.

Fullraceflathead · 11-03-2024, 10:18 AM

Replacing the original bulb with a much brighter LED sounds like an excellent idea to me I need to change my mind to that!!!

The Master Cylinder · 11-03-2024, 12:08 PM

I have never seen a single fiiment bulb with offset pins. I see no use to do that. I am using a LED in my Town Sedan, burned my fingers one to many times using an regular bulb!

05-26-2023, 07:34 PM	#1
Big g Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 3	Dash light The instrument light on the dash of my 29 Tudor has never functioned since I purchased the car. Never bothered me before but now I would really like it to work. My silly issues is, I do not know how to turn it on. Anyone??

05-26-2023, 07:36 PM	#2
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,062	Re: Dash light Push and turn clockwise about 1/8 of a turn. Just pushing will turn it on. It will turn off when released unless turned clockwise. Turn counter-clockwise to turn it back off. It takes a #63 6-volt bulb if you are still running 6 volts.

05-26-2023, 07:44 PM	#3
Big g Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 3	Re: Dash light Thank you so much.I just installed a new wiring harness and have new ambition to make everything work. Thanks

05-28-2023, 01:49 PM	#4
Ted Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fairfield, Virginia Posts: 616	Re: Dash light If you put an LED bulb in it you will have more light, less current draw and it WON'T burn your fingers.

05-29-2023, 03:00 PM	#7
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,476	Re: Dash light I had a aviation grade light bulb in there. It was the replacement for the #63. It had a heavy duty filament, but it finally burned out. I got it at NAPA. Wish I still had that part number, because the light I have now is not as much candlepower.

05-28-2023, 02:12 PM	#5
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,855	Re: Dash light If you have a modern ignition switch you can wire the light to turn on only with the ignition on. So if forget to turn the light off it will not drain your battery. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-30-2023, 09:44 AM	#8
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,712	Re: Dash light Does the bulb not have a number on it? Possibly a #81, 6 CP compared to a #63, 3 CP. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

11-01-2024, 01:35 PM	#9
veteran#94 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: minnesota Posts: 10	Re: Dash light i have the stock dash light but can not find a bulb. the socket takes a single contact w/offset pins bulb.

11-01-2024, 02:40 PM	#10
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 963	Re: Dash light Vet #94 - is this not it? https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=976629&cat=0

11-01-2024, 05:36 PM	#11
veteran#94 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: minnesota Posts: 10	Re: Dash light i can't see if that has offset pins.

11-01-2024, 05:41 PM	#12
veteran#94 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: minnesota Posts: 10	Re: Dash light i sent a message to snyders to verify if it has offset pins.

11-01-2024, 05:48 PM	#13
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 963	Re: Dash light Good idea. The description should tell you. Some do, some don't....

11-02-2024, 03:12 AM	#15
German guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: German/French border Posts: 104	Re: Dash light It is a pain in the posterior. To turn it on, simply push it in as you would a cigarette lighter in a modern car. Pull it out slightly and it should go off. The problem is that the fixture gets worn and comes on every time you hit a bump in the road...or temperature causes metal expansion to have it come on while parked...killing the battery. Mine does NOT have offset pins...they are two pins at equal distance from the bottom.

11-02-2024, 05:12 AM	#16
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,855	Re: Dash light German Guy, The LED does not get hot like the incandescent bulb and will not drain your battery (as fast) if you forget and leave it on. Sorry, I don't have a part number but do a search for the equivalent LED. See post #5. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-02-2024, 06:12 AM	#17
TomInCologne Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany: Cologne and Witten Posts: 408	Re: Dash light I leave it in the 'on'-position all the time, it being lit is my reminder that i have not turned off the main switch when parked... As i have an LED (yellow), leaving it on does not heat things up too much.

11-03-2024, 10:18 AM	#19
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,684	Re: Dash light Replacing the original bulb with a much brighter LED sounds like an excellent idea to me I need to change my mind to that!!! __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

11-03-2024, 12:08 PM	#20
The Master Cylinder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Moon Posts: 999	Re: Dash light I have never seen a single fiiment bulb with offset pins. I see no use to do that. I am using a LED in my Town Sedan, burned my fingers one to many times using an regular bulb! __________________ The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...